TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Autism

Dubai Airport Launches New Initiatives for People withHidden Disabilities

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Dubai Airport is introducing a comprehensive new program to ensure the delivery of a sector-leading, inclusive, and seamless travel experience for all People of Determination (POD) with hidden disabilities that travel through Dubai International (DXB).

As part of Dubai Airport’s shared values ‘We all meet the world differently’, this new initiative will contribute to the UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021 vision for Dubai to be the world’s leading disability-friendly city and barrier-free community empowering and welcoming all POD travelers. Read more.

Avoiding a Meltdown at 30,000 Feet

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Flights can be stressful, intimidating, and, worst of all, downright exhausting. Despite this, aircraft as a transportation method is now just part of the modern, convenient travel experience, especially if you want to go long distances.

Airports themselves can be a minefield for those who are autistic. But thankfully, things have improved significantly over time (varies country by country). Airlines, too, are getting better all the time at providing support to disabled passengers. Here are some valuable airport and plane tips and strategies to help you plan and take your next trip. Read more.

Taking in the Grandeur of the Grand Canyon with an Autistic Son

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Group of people looking out over the Grand Canyon from a viewing platform.

Lisa Winner, a photographer, shared with National Geographic some of the challenges her son, who is autistic, faces when traveling. Despite her love of the outdoors, Lisa says that “There are many surprises in nature—and anyone who loves an autistic person knows surprises are not their jam.” She recounted the difficulty her son faced when visiting the Grand Canyon, where he was distressed by the unfamiliar environment.

Parents like Winner are encouraging governments and businesses to make outdoor recreation areas more accessible to those with autism. To learn more about Lisa’s family, their trip to the Grand Canyon and how public places can be made autism-friendly, see the article in National Geographic.

Mike’s Mission: An Autistic Adult Wants to Deliver Uber Eats in all 50 States in 2022…Needs Our Support

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Below is a letter from Mike Di Mauro, who spoke at TravelAbility Summit about his goal to visit all 50 states while delivering for Uber Eats to support himself.

Hello! I would like to send this email to thank everyone for allowing me to attend the summit last week and speak about my mission. I am trying to make history with this road trip that I am trying to get done and I know that it will not be easy. I know that together, we can help each other out and get this done. If I am not the first person to get this done, I will try to be the first person with autism to get it done! I also had a wonderful time hearing your sessions as well. It was great to learn about what you had to offer as well. I am looking forward to working with you all! I am sorry that I was not at all of the sessions but I had to try to share my mission with the vendors at the Connect conference to see if they could help me out as well. I really enjoyed the chance to go to the block party on Monday night and had a photo with the Vince Lombardi trophy! I also had the chance to hear two great athletes speak (Jerry Rice and Simone Biles) and had my photo taken with both of them. Interesting fact about the one with Simone Biles: after the presentation was over, I rushed over to the backstage area and out the door and as I was there, Simone was walking with a few people escorting her. I told her that I had autism and that I am a mental health advocate. I gave her my business card and then we had our photo together. Then I thanked her for what she has done at the Olympics and for the mental health community. I also asked her to please keep in touch with me! I feel that if we worked together then we could spread awareness for mental health in the world!

The link to join his Facebook group is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mikedsmission/

He can be reached by e-mail at: mikedemauro@aol.com

His GoFundMe page is: https://gofund.me/af457445

Note: Mike also attended the presentations at Connect Marketplace, an event co-located with TravelAbility. Below you’ll find him with Super Bowl winner Jerry Rice and Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles.

  • Mike with Jerry Rice.
  • Mike with Simon Biles.

Don’t Call it Inspo-Porn: Rising Tide Car Wash Employing Autistic Staff is Expanding

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Maroon sedan going through automated car wash.

John D’Eri co-founded the Rising Tide Car Wash in Parkland, Florida with his son, Thomas, in 2013. Following the success of the business, the pair expanded to Margate in 2017, and are now poised to open a location in Coral Springs later this year.

What sets Rising Tide apart from other car washes is its team: the majority of its staff are on the Autism spectrum.

D’Eri told the South Florida Sun Sentinel, “My son Andrew is on the spectrum. There were no opportunities for him whatsoever. I have always been a serial entrepreneur so I decided that the best thing I could do was try to give him empowerment through employment versus some form of institutionalization like a group home.”

At Rising Tide, Andrew found work along with many others. The family has a bold vision for the new Coral Springs location: Within two years, they aim to have the car wash “100% staffed with diversity, meaning employees on the spectrum.” Those employees would include team leaders, D’Eri said and would set Rising Tide apart from other social enterprises focused on inclusion within the Autistic community.

To learn more about the Rising Tide Car Wash, check out the company website or read the full article in the Sun Sentinel.